Russian courts fine Google.....

[Kurokage]

I'm getting the impression that Russia is attempting to 'stay relevant' in the global news cycle.  All these hyperbolic articles seem to have popped up almost simultaneously... but that's not to say it's just a 'distraction,'... (just that it could be.)

This grievance is long-standing though.

I agree, it does appear as though Putin is trying his best to keep Russia relevent and in the News/propaganda headlines to steer the reporting away from the econonmy, and trying to make the Russian people believe his hyperbole.